"There is no evidence to support this. I still speak to many women, however, who continue to eat spicy food and take raspberry leaf tea in late pregnancy hoping that either will bring on labour.

"Carrying a baby boy with your pregnancy bump all at the front, damaging your baby's skin by drinking coffee or hurting your baby by sleeping on your back are also modern myths.

"It's true that in later pregnancy sleeping on your side, supported by pillows, will be more comfortable and help boost your blood circulation."

She stressed that exercise could be beneficial in pregnancy. "Pregnancy can be an excellent reason to start exercising. Although it's important to start off slowly, exercise will help your body to be in the best possible shape to cope with labour and giving birth," she said.

"Deep lunges and knee bends would not be appropriate, neither would cycling in later pregnancy as your centre of gravity can change your sense of balance. A midwife or personal trainer could give you advice on different types of exercises you can do during pregnancy - even going for a walk is a start."

One of the most bizarre things I heard when I was pregnant actually came from my midwife. Listening to the baby's heartbeat, she pronounced that she would be "amazed" if it wasn't a boy, as it had a "boy's heartbeat". Yes, you guessed it - I had a girl!

What are the strangest myths you've heard about pregnancy? And are there any that you believe are true?